Spokesman: Giffords Speaking "More and More"

A spokesman for Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said the congresswoman is speaking "more and more," one month after being shot in the head at an event with constituents that killed six others, reports the Associated Press.

Giffords spokesman C.J. Karamargin confirmed to CBS News that Giffords speech is improving and that she did directly ask for toast for breakfast recently, although he does not know what her very first words were.

An earlier statement from Giffords office reads: "The reports of Congresswoman Giffords improving in ALL areas are true. She has a daily rigorous therapy schedule that includes a lot of work on her speech capacity. She is working really hard and its paying off."

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On Tuesday, one of Giffords' doctors said he hopes the wounded congresswoman can make enough progress to attend her husband's space launch in two months, describing it as a goal to work toward as many in Arizona paused to mark one month since she was shot at a political event.

The space shuttle Endeavour will leave April 19 for a two-week mission to the International Space Station, and astronaut Mark Kelly announced last week that he'll be aboard and expects his wife, who was shot in the forehead, to see him off.

Dr. Gerard Francisco said doctors would have to make decisions on a variety of medical issues for that to happen, including whether Giffords can fly to Cape Canaveral, Fla., how much assistance she would need, and how much noise she can tolerate.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Kelly wrote it's hard to believe only one month had passed.

"The doctors say she is recovering at lightning speed considering her injury, but they aren't kidding when they say this is a marathon process," he said. "There are encouraging signs every day, though."

Kelly wrote that Giffords has her appetite back and is enjoying three meals a day "even though it's hospital food."

Arizona state Sen. Ken Cheuvront, a friend of Giffords who shared a house with her and another lawmaker when they served together in the Legislature, said he was excited to hear that she is speaking again.

"It gives all of us a lot of hope that she'll have a full recovery," Cheuvront said. "She's a fighter, there's no ifs, and or butts about that. She's always been very tenacious, and I have no doubt whether it's politics or her recovery that she'll still have that same amount of energy."

[bruce789]

I taught my own dad how to walk, walking is important (if possible), it's freedom. The most expensive care doesn't give you that, one committed person does and that being with the guidance of a good physical therapist. Therapists were way ahead of this long before the doctors knew anything about it. The brain finds new areas of itself to manage what the old areas did, patterning is one facet which helps new areas learn.

[duffyn]

Wow - this is great news. We hope for her complete recovery. That would be so awesome. I am pro gun but I sure wish people would quit proving they can't handle a weapon. Like the janitor who shot the principal cuz they were arguing. If you have a temper or crazy ideas about killing those you disagree with - do everyone a favor a do not buy a gun! And, remember the consequences, if you kill someone, it is permanent and you will will go to jail for the rest of your life. I.e - you ruin your life also!!!!

[knownhost]

I hope that everyone will continue to pray for her miraculous recovery.

[Riverjump]

My old lady had two strokes and I've had quad-bypass. How about some love for some folks not in the spotlight? Good for her though. Wish we had that kind of health care.

[gig76]

Rep. Giffords is a very kind person and is forgiving, which is much more than Palin will ever be. Palin has a cold wicked heart that has already died and gone to HELL!

[documemts]

Good for her. She has a long recovery ahead.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
je suis contente pour Gabrielle.
............
I'm happy for gabrielle.
I hope this kind of incident does not happen again.
" au revoir "

[gig76]

Kudos to Gaby! We need you back so we are cheering you on for a full recovery! See you back in Washington. Best of everything to you and Kelly!

[chonder2]

Thank goodness!!

So much for Sharon Angle's 2nd Amendment solution.

Let's see it applied to her too!!!

[gig76]

Unfortunate has to happen to good people like Giffords and bad folks like Angle continue onward. That the ships!

[cindydream]

Too bad the insane man that went HOMICIDAL couldn't afford mental heath care......

[documemts]

Reagan got rid of mental health for America back in the 80's.

[ToolMangler1]

by documemts February 9, 2011 4:46 PM EST
"Reagan got rid of mental health for America back in the 80's."


The GOP thought that was the way to go and they started getting rid more and more necessary things so they could balance the budget, (You know, they got rid of half the Cops, Firemen, EMTs, Sanitation workers, Highway repair crews, Border Patrol, Health care workers at state or federally run hospitals, NASA and many other people needed in places that are indispensable to health and well being in this Nation. Here is what they "DIDN'T" get rid of. Congressmen or their salaries, The CIA, FBI, NSA, HSA, IRS, Military, Foreign aid (to people that hate us)
and Government waste that is killing us. I have watched this for a long time, both sides are bad but the GOP is the worst, they scream about "LIBERALS" but never lose a step in getting to the front of the line leading to the "PORK BARREL" and then have the gall to 'BRAG' about it at re-elction time.

[Jaylah54]

If Gabby's recovery is anything like mine was after my stroke (the same parts of our brain were injured), she's asking for toast for breakfast and getting increasingly frustrated when what she wants to say isn't what comes out of her mouth.

Hang in, Gabby. It gets better.

[jondoe12]

Thats good to hear, To bad we wouldn't get the same level of care as she did, when the hospital ask you how your going to pay because you don't have the same health insurance that we the people provide for them they won't hesitate to tell you they can't help you unless you can prove they will get there money out of you

[documemts]

You get what you asked and voted for. If you don't have adequate med/health ins.? Maybe you should of voted for that instead of voting for war, Republicans, corporate profits and Wall Street lies.

[retm-w]

Your right even this obama care fiasco wouldn't give the common American the same care.